By Gabriel Ameh
Abuja, Nigeria – 15 December 2025: The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), and the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) jointly inaugurated a state-of-the-art evidence storage facility at the FCID Headquarters in Abuja on December 12, 2025.
This critical infrastructure, made possible by the generous financial support of the U.S. government, is poised to significantly enhance Nigeria’s ability to tackle serious crimes such as terrorism, kidnapping, and other violent offenses. By ensuring the proper collection, preservation, and secure handling of evidence, the facility will contribute to stronger case-building and more effective prosecutions, ultimately aiding in securing more convictions.
The evidence storage facility refurbishment was completed as part of the “Project to Strengthen the Capacity of Nigeria to Collect Evidence and More Effectively Prosecute Terrorism and Other Serious Crimes with Respect for the Rule of Law,” which has been funded by the U.S. Department of State’s INL and implemented by UNODC. Launched in 2020, the project was designed to address the longstanding challenges that have hindered evidence collection and undermined the effectiveness of Nigeria’s criminal justice system.
The upgraded facility at FCID will now offer a secure, well-organized system for the storage and retrieval of criminal materials, ensuring their integrity for forensic analysis and use in court proceedings. Furthermore, the custodians responsible for running the facility have undergone extensive training from UNODC experts, learning best practices in evidence collection and storage to enhance future operations.
During the event, Deputy Inspector General of FCID, Sadiq Idris Abubakar, expressed gratitude for the support provided by UNODC and the INL-funded project, stating, “The collaboration has significantly enhanced our operational effectiveness, particularly in evidence collection and preservation, which is crucial to the administration of justice in Nigeria.”
The Head of Forensics at the Nigeria Police Force, Commissioner of Police Benedict Agbo, also lauded the partnership, saying, “The expertise and resources provided by our international partners have greatly improved our capabilities. This new facility will play a crucial role in ensuring the effective prosecution of serious crimes.”
Dr. Douglas Grane, Acting INL Director in Nigeria, emphasized the importance of secure evidence management, stating, “This facility represents a significant step in strengthening the integrity of criminal investigations. By improving evidence storage and chain-of-custody processes, we ensure that forensic analysis can be done securely and accurately, ultimately fostering public trust in the rule of law.”
Cheikh Toure, UNODC Country Representative, also highlighted the facility’s role in advancing accountability and justice, noting, “Properly preserved evidence is crucial for prosecuting serious crimes. By providing the NPF with modern infrastructure, UNODC is helping ensure that offenders are held accountable, which is vital for reducing insecurity and protecting vulnerable communities. We remain committed to supporting Nigeria in strengthening its criminal justice system.”
This partnership marks a key milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to build a more effective, transparent, and accountable criminal justice system, and UNODC is committed to continuing its support to improve the capacity of law enforcement agencies across the country.
